Thursday's roundup: Golf tournament to honor Loyola's memory

A memorial golf tournament has been started to honor Gerardo “Jerry” Loyola Jr., a former star Watsonville High golfer who died of cancer in October at age 24.

The inaugural “JL” Golf Challenge will be held Aug. 21 at noon at Spring Hills Golf Course and is sponsored by the Watsonville High golf team. The event will help pay for a scholarship in Loyola’s memory.

Gerardo Loyola Sr., who coached his son at Watsonville High, said the plan is to start a nonprofit foundation that will help families battling cancer, will support national cancer organizations and promote junior golf in the area.

“We’re trying to do whatever we can do to fight this disease, promote his memory and keep his spirit alive,” Loyola Sr. said.

The plan for the scholarship is to help junior golfers continue their education. The Loyola family has already started making donations to help those fighting cancer, and one of Loyola Sr.’s daughters raised $2,500 by getting sponsors to support her in a half-marathon, and is planning to run another.

The golf tournament will have a four-man best ball format and have team and individual awards. There will be a shotgun start at noon.

The entry fee per foursome is $450 if paid by Aug. 1, $500 if paid after. There will be prizes and a post-tournament banquet. Players can enter as a foursome or be placed in one by the organizers.

Loyola Sr. said tournament organizers are particularly seeking people to sponsor holes for $100.

For information about the golf tournament, contact Steve Perez at 212-4793, Gerardo Loyola Sr. at 247-0461, Serjio Sanchez at 840-1998 or Maritza Loyola at 247-0465.

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Nieto, Akiyama, Brooks winners in PVWGC event

Lori Nieto had the best gross score and tied with Donna Brooks for the fewest putts and Kiiko Akiyama had the best net score in the Pajaro Valley Women’s Golf Club’s weekly tournament Tuesday.

Nieto, whose round was highlighted by a chip in for birdie on the fifth hole, shot a gross score of 92. Diana Sworakowski was second with a 96, followed by Jeanette Shaw with a 104.

Akiyama shot a net score of 75. La Vera Burt was second with an 80, while Aiko Yamamoto was third with the same score.

Nieto and Brooks each had 28 putts.

Akiyama chipped her ball into the hole on No. 2, while Brooks accomplished the feat on No. 18.

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Track and field

Final All-Comers track meet of summer held

The final All-Comers track meet of the summer at Watsonville High was held last week. In the meet — held by Youth N.O.W. in conjunction with Got Game? Get Game! — children got a chance to participate in a variety of track and field events.